TOKYO FILMeX

TOKYO FILMeX Competition will present 9 new films by the best emerging filmmakers in Asia. At the closing ceremony on December 8, Grand Prize 'Kodak VISION Award' and Special Jury prize will be announced. The jury comprised of five international film professionals will select the awarded works.

The Jury of TOKYO FILMeX Competition 2002, composed of AHN Sung-ki (Korea/chairman), Ann HUI (Hong Kong), Amir NADERI (Iran/USA), KUROSAWA Kiyoshi (Japan), and Jean-Michel FRODON (France), has decided to award as follows:

Director: Apichatpong WEERASETHAKUL
(Thailand / 2002 / 125min / 35mm / Color)

For its unconventional style that tells the nature of human beings and cinema. It brings audience into nature naturally, and stimulates their imagination to set their mind free.

The winning film's director will receive 1,000,000 yen. This prize was made possible with the support of Kodak Japan Ltd.

Director: Djamshed USMONOV
(Tajikistan / 2002 / 89min / 35mm / Color)

For its maturity of all aspects, such as directing, acting and cinematography, as a first feature film.

The winning film's director will receive 500,000 yen

Director: PARK Jin-pyo
(Korea / 2002 / 67min / 35mm / Color)

For its brave challenge filming the uneasy theme.

Director: FUJII Kenjiro
(Japan / 2002 / 74min / DV / Color)

KAKUTO

	Japan / 2002 / 108 min / Color Director: ISEYA Yusuke Cast: ISEYA Yusuke, ITO Junji, TAKANO Hassei
	Directorial debut by an actor ISEYA Yusuke, star of such films as Distance. Three lads try to obtain some marijuana to have a good time, but something unexpected happens to them. Produced by KORE-EDA Hirokazu, director of Afterlife (1998) and Distance (2001).

Wild Berries

	Japan / 2002 / 108 min / Color Director: NISHIKAWA Miwa Cast: MIYASAKO Hiroyuki, TSUMIKI Miho, HIRAIZUMI Sei, OTANI Naoko
	A portrait of an ordinary family that turns unstable when their frivolous son Shuji returns home after a long absence. First feature by NISHIKAWA, who worked as an assistant on films such as Distance under director KORE-EDA Hirokazu.

Too Young To Die

	South Korea / 2002 / 67 min / Color Director: PARK Jin-pyo Cast: PARK Chi-gyu, LEE Sun-ye
	A real-life couple in their 70s play a recently remarried couple in this realistic depiction of the sex lives of senior citizens. The film has created a great sensation at festivals around the world. The feature debut by rising Korean filmmaker PARK Jin-pyo.

Chicken Poets

	China / 2002 / 94 min / Color Director: MENG Jinghui Cast: QIN Hailu, CHEN Jianbin, LIAO Fan, WANG Jinsong, YANG Ting
	The first feature film by MENG Jinghui, an influential theater director from the city of Beijing. A lyrical work about an unsuccessful poet who unwillingly gets involved in running a chicken-farm owned by his old friend, who's an ex-poet himself.

Blissfully Yours

	Thailand / 2002 / 125 min / Color Director: Apichatpong WEERASETHAKUL Cast: Kanokporn TONGARAM, Min OO, Jenjira JANSUDA
	Emerging Thai independent filmmaker Apichatpong WEERASETHAKUL's second feature. It naturalistically depicts a group of immigrants from Myanmar who spend their spare time in a forest near the border. Won the 'Un Certain Regard' award at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

Nothing To Lose

	Thailand, Singapore / 2002 / 90 min / Color Director: Danny PANG Cast: Pierre PNG, FRESH, Yvonne LIM
	A stylish work about a man with outstanding debts and a woman with a history, who meet one another on the rooftop of a building as they're about to attempt suicide. Solo directorial debut by Danny PANG (Bangkok Dangerous [1999]).

Angel On The Right

	Tajikistan / 2002 / 89 min / Color Director: Djamshed USMONOV Cast: Uktamoi MIYASAROVA, Maruf PULODZODA, Kova TILAVPUR, Mardonqul QULBOBO
	This solo feature debut by Djamshed USMONOV (The Flight of the Bee [1998], The Well [2000]) is the story of a man who returns home to Tajikistan after years in Moscow to take care of his dying mother. Screened in the 'Un Certain Regard' category at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

Southbound Swallow

	Taiwan / 2002 / 88 min / Color Director: LIEN Chin-hua Cast: CHEN Shiang-chyi
	Emerging Taiwanese filmmaker LIEN Chin-hua carefully depicts the story of a young woman who has come to Taiwan from mainland China to escape poverty, and examines the complicated problems that lie between the two countries.

Zeestan

	Iran / 2002 / 85 min / Color Director: Reza SOBHANI Cast: Asghar BECHAREH, Shabnam MOGHADAMI, Darood FATH-ALIZADEH
	The long-awaited first feature by Reza SOBHANI, whose short films have been internationally acclaimed. A portrait of an old photographer, who goes to the park everyday to take pictures of people.